mom with health scare wants to get fit

My name is Charity Edwards. I am 35 and a mother to 3 boys. Married to my husband Chad for 10 years. We live in Cumming Ga for the last 7 and a half years. My story starts with my last pregnancy with my now 7 week old. After bringing him home from the hospital on October 13th I was admitted into the hospital on October 15th with a Pulmonary Embolism (blood clot in my lung). I was then in the hospital till the 16th. The hardest part was definitely being separated from my new baby and family. It was determined that my blood clot originated in my pelvis from the pregnancy. I was very lucky to have noticed the symptoms and acted on them by going to the ER. A lot of new moms would have possibly put the symptoms off as being normal for just having gave birth. But I knew something was not right. I was short of breath, sweating a lot, swollen feet, and hit with major anxiety. I do have a history of Panic/Anxiety disorder so I initially figured it was a panic attack. But something was just different, especially from how I felt after having my first two boys. So off I went to the hospital and now I am feeling better and will be on blood thinners for 6 months. I would love the opportunity to spread awareness of Pulmonary Embolisms due to pregnancy and childbirth. It is rare but it is the leading cause of maternal deaths. I also am not afraid to speak openly of my Panic disorder. It is important that as women and mothers we are as open and honest about these issues of anxiety, stress, depression. We have to help each other thru the tough times of motherhood. It is amazing but hard. So now is the time that my eyes have truly been opened to my health. I need....no Must get fit and healthy for myself and my family. I want to be around for a long time and see my family grow. I still have about 35 pounds to lose from this pregnancy. But the most important is learning good life habits and being healthy. So if chosen for the 2013 Fit Nation team I will give 100%! And promise to be an advocate and motivator for my team.

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